JoAnna Garcia Swisher
Yvonne Strahovsky
Dominique McElligott
Odette Annable
Erin Cummings
Azure Parsons
Zoe Boyle
Desmond Harrington

Developed by:
Stephanie Savage

Drama, History
2015-
ABC

TV-PG

“I love your dress, tré chic.” “And yours, tré pink.”

That’s one exchange, among many, in ABC’s new summer drama “The Astronaut Wives Club.” If you enjoyed that, then this is the show for you. Otherwise, look elsewhere. The writing is uninspired, and the execution is awkward at times. The first scene between actors Desmond Harrington and Dominique McElligott is a particularly awkward affair. This is in regards to the first episode, though, so they may work the kinks out. But, even if they do, I doubt that it will matter. If nothing else works, there’s always the vintage-style footage to rely on, I guess.

The title tells you what this show is about, but it doesn’t tell you about the time period. We’re shuttled back in time to … the end of the 1950s to the beginning of the 1960s. The first episode starts with a flashback between those two time periods. So, this is yet another show set during that time. Haven’t we had enough? Plus, those other shows set around this time are really good. Hello? We’ve had “Mad Men,” and we have “Masters of Sex,” another period drama based on a true story. Yes, “The Astronaut Wives Club” is based on true events, which is hard to believe as you watch it.

However, “The Astronaut Wives Club” has been paired, wisely, with “Mistresses” on the same night. While it doesn’t try to bring the overwhelming steam of its Thursday-night companion (it’s much too wooden for that), it does attempt to go after the same audience. I guess it’s the appetizer, and “Mistresses” is the main course. No, maybe there is no main course, because “Mistresses” has to be the dessert.

Verdict: Whatever

About: (Source: astrowivesclub)

ABC’s new television drama series based on the book by Lily Koppel, “The Astrinaut Wives Club” focuses on seven women who were key players behind some of the biggest events in American history. As America’s astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, the lives of their young wives were transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty. As their celebrity rose, and tragedy began to touch their lives, they rallied together. “The Astronaut Wives Club” premieres THURSDAY, JUNE 18 8|7c on ABC.

“The Astronaut Wives Club” stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Betty Grissom; Yvonne Strahovski as Rene Carpenter; Dominique McElligott as Louise Shepard; Odette Annable as Trudy Cooper; Erin Cummings as Marge Slayton; Azure Parsons as Annie Glenn; Zoe Boyle as Jo Schirra; Desmond Harrington as Alan Shepard; Bret Harrison as Gordo Cooper; Wilson Bethel as Scott Carpenter; Kenneth Mitchell as Deke Slayton; Joel Johnstone as Gus Grissom; Sam Reid as John Glenn and Aaron McCusker as Wally Schirra. The first episode was directed by Lone Scherfig, director of the Academy Award®-nominated film “An Education.”

“The Astronaut Wives Club”is executive produced by Stephanie Savage (“Gossip Girl,” “The O.C.”); Josh Schwartz (“The O.C”; “Chuck”); Len Goldstein (“The Carrie Diaries,” “Hart of Dixie”); Michael London (“Milk,” “Appaloosa”) and Janice Williams (“All Good Things,” “The Hollars”).